Dental matrix-clamp.



S. S. GARLETON. DENTAL MATRIX CLAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 14, 1908.

912,810. Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

Witnesses ww'f UNITED STATES OFFTQE.

SANGER S. OARLETON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JAMES W. IVORY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DENTAL MATBIX-CLALIP.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

Application filed November 14, 1903. Serial N 0. 462,572.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SANGER S. GARLETON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Dental Matrix-Clamp, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a dental matrix clamp, embodying resilient jaws, a clutch withln the same, and means for imparting motions to said clutch to close the same and permit opening thereof, whereby the body of the matrix may be properly manipulated so as to be adjusted on a tooth and then con tracted and closed on the same for the purposes of a dental operation, and afterwards expanded and opened so as to be conveniently removed from the tooth, the novel features of the invention and manner of operation thereof being hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

For the purpose of explaining the invention, the accom anying drawing illustrates a satisfactory re notion of the same to ractice, but the important instrumenta ities thereof may be varied, and so it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangement and organization shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a perspective View of a dental matrix clamp embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sec tion thereof. Fig. represents a perspective view of a dental matrix clamp showing other features of the invention. Fig. 4. represents a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 5 re resents a front view of the device.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :-A designates jaws composed of resilient members, whose inner ends are connected with the neck B, the latter having swiveled thereon the thumb nut or sleeve C, which also comprises the handle of the device.

Within the jaws A is the clutch or clamp D, the inner end of which is connected with the shank E, a portion of which passes freely through the neck B and another portion is threaded and engages with the threaded bore of said nut C, whereby by properly rotating said nut sliding motions may be communicated to said clutch D in reverse directions. The clutch D comprises members of resilient jaws, within which the ends of a matrix F are received and by which they are clamped, said jaws being additional to the jaws D and located Within the latter, as has been stated.

In order to close the clutch upon the ends of the matrix, there is fitted over the former, the slide or sliding band G, which when moved towards the matrix exerts pressure on the members of the jaws of the clutch towards each other, the effect of which is evident. When the slide is moved rearwardly, the jaws of the clutch are relieved of pressure, whereby as said jaws are resilient, as has been stated, they open, and so may receive the ends of the matrix or release the same, as occasion requires.

l'lhile the slide may retain its operative position by frictional contact with the members of the jaws of the clutch, in some cases, it may be necessary to hold the slide positively in said position. For this purpose, I employ the screw H, and form in the side members of the jaws A the longitudinally extending slots J, in either of which the shank of said screw H is received, and in which it may play with the motions of said slide and of the clutch D, it being noticed that the threaded portion of the screw H ongages with the side of the slide G and is adapted to tighten against the adjacent portion of the clutch, thus holding the slide firmly in place, but when said screw is properly rotated, the slide may be released, when it may be moved on the clutch to permit the latter to open, while the shank of the screw H rides in the slot J, as is evident.

In the forward ends of the jaws A are re cesses K, which receive the adjacent lengths of the matrix F, and on whose walls they are adapted to slide, as the body of the matrix is closed and opened, it being evident that the jaws A owing to their resiliency are permitted to expand as they are subjected to the pressure of the contacting portion of the matrix, as said portion is drawn inwardly by the clutch D in closing the matrix, and to contract as said portion is moved outwardly as the matrix is opened.

The operation is as follows :The ends of the matrix are passed through the recesses of the jaws and inserted in the clutch D, when the slide G is properly moved to close said clutch and take firm hold of the ends of the matrix, the body of the matrix then assuming a position as shown in the drawings, in which position it may be fitted over a tooth requiring the same. The sleeve C is now rotated, whereby the matrix is drawn by the clutch D in between the jaws A and its body properly closed around and tightened on the tooth, when the dental operation may be performed. W hen this is accomplished, the sleeve C is rotated in reverse order, whereby the body of the matrix moves outwardly from the jaws A and so is opened, whenit may be conveniently and quickly removed from the tooth, as is evident.

Attention is directed to the fact that the walls of the recesses K, which receive the adjacent lengths of the end portions of the matrix, act as guides for said lengths and so direct the same true in their motions in opposite directions and prevent turning of the body of the matrix.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent, is

1. In a dental matrix clamp, a pair of resilient jaws having recesses in their forward ends in which adjacent portions of said clamp are received and adapted to slidingly move, said jaws being adapted to be expanded and to contract due to the motions of said portions.

2. In a dental matrix clamp, a pair of resilient jaws, a carrier therefor, a device with in said jaws adapted to clamp the end portions of a matrix whose body portion is adapted to be exterior of said jaws, and means for operating said device in opposite directions, said jaws having recesses in their forward ends adapted to allow free motions of adjacent lengths of the matrix therein, and said jaws being adapted to be expanded and to contract due to said motions.

3. In a dental matrix clamp, jaws, a carrier therefor, a device within said jaws adapted to clamp the end portions of a matrix, which portions are adapted to pass slidingly through the outer ends of said jaws,

a member on said clamp movable in said carrier, and rotatable means mounted on said carrier and receiving said member, whereby the latter and consequently the clamp may be operated in opposite directions.

a. In a dental matrix clamp, exterior resilient jaws, additional resilient jaws within said exterior jaws, and means for closing said additional jaws.

5. In a dental matrix clamp, jaws, a device within the same adapted to clamp the end portions of a matrix whose body portion is adapted to be exterior of said jaws, means on said device for tightly closing the same on said end portions, and a sliding band mem ber adapted to movably embrace said device, and means for controlling said member against operative displacement.

6. In a dental matrix clamp, jaws, a device within the same adapted to clamp the end portions of a matrix whose body portion is adapted to be exterior of said jaws, a memberadapted to slidingly embrace said device, and a screw fitted to said sliding member and adapted to tighten against said clamp to control said member, said jaws having openings in a side member in which said screw is adapted to play.

'7. A dental matrix clamp composed of jaws, a device within said jaws adapted to clamp the end portions of a matrix whose adjacent portions are adapted to pass freely through said jaws and whose body portion is exterior of said jaws, a carrier for said jaws, a threaded shank on said clamping device, said shank passing freely through said carrier, and a rotatable internally threaded sleeve mounted on said carrier and engaging said shank.

SANGER S. CARLETON.

i' iitnesses l J. WALTER VVATTS, MIOHAEL T. WALsH. 

